Apparatus eor separating gasoline from natural gas



Sept. 30 1924 1,510,354

G. M. TURNER APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING GASOLINE FROM NATURAL GAS Original Filed May '7. 1920 ini;

Patenetl Sept. 39p 232% TAS GEORGE M. TURNER, F RIVERSIDE, CALFORNIA..

Original application tiled May 7, 1920, Serial No. 379,582. Divided and this application fue*` January 4,

To all wmm it may Concern.'

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. TURNER, a citizen et' the United States, residing :it Riverside. in the county of Riverside and State nt (lalifni'nia, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Apparatus for Separating (insuline from Natural Gas, et' which the following i5 n speciiieation.

This invention relates te apparatus for illu extraetion nl gasoline from gases and wiiiiirs, and pa1-ti"il:irly from natural gaat, ngi? witaiiis tu use el: an absorbing Uli el teii extraeting tifui :5 tu plUVitle au i-liirirnt finit ai fan mi apparatus for il'wlii'u-, lfr l'iir uw fi?. iiinti'itfeigal means, :tu rffjiitii'atiiin if'i the militie :and the al;- lin-pilon rit the saine by :in :disturbing uieilium.

tlm feature nl' the iiii'entiun provides for lim limi-olif i blending n? the gasoline and .a with :W absorbing nil. nml ineluilrs the fp-iiiuilue im' mnilurzting the enntinunue primitivi unil :ilisui itiilii prmfeas Lie-.scribed ii` my im printing; :.ii-.Islivatiiiii `rierial No. 'mtime itt-fi Mar infn,

iiitaiis vl' these :init father features prn- Feuthi` use ut' rriiti'i'fuggal i'firize im* ri` tl :talug quie-lily such thin-unifi: lilemiing :intl provide tlr'ails of eoustiiurtiiui 0i' Centrifugal apparatus whereby the blending proeisl i5 confini-ieri.

rem auplitzsit us new iu use Whieli rn I the iri it ii-latitiil'v lui z abstirbi'ng mail the use wi' mini-rai eraloil and z mi@ ,5 up tu seifrinl huiuilreil 'ihrpirwnt iniiiitiiiii pnl-rides relai/Wei.' min@ mixing of the :fililiipiil with fills iraniens medium by the use 0i' iintizlugal turen, whirl] feree also provides it wry' cnnsiilt-,ral'ile portion of the weary pr areA The oprratifni el' the aiig'iaratus and the fntails 0i' runsiruitiun are explained iu tfie following' speciiiratinn. i-laimefl in the aefrunlianying claims, :incl illustrated in the fli'awingg which furnis a part ef this appli ration. t

Referring; to the drawing, `igu're L is a vertical section through the centrifugal blending apparatus,

i' in ieri i Serial Nn. 434,894.

Figure 2 is a surtiunal View, partly broken away" un the linie` Qui el; Figure l, blinking iluwn nu the rutnr iuriiilwr` :intl

Figure 3 is an exterior Vdew with a p0rtion of the raising breiten away :intl illustrating the relative position nl' thil interior parts of the apparatus.

Referringa in detail tu the, ruusrui'tions illustrated in the drawing` l is thv main Casingwhich is Asubstantially vii-ulm- Imrizun tally. llxteiuliujj tliruugh tlul llutl'r ui the Casing' l ami vurtilally, is :i ili'ix'e .shalt 2 having*r it its liiwir mul a limiti puller il" whrli is iriwn by :i belt 2 friuli a svui'ci uf motive puni-i L'". whiih` is illustrated as an elertriimutui; The shaft' if is juui'ualeil iu the resine' i :it illu points, I. :intl is pri: 'viiii'd with siitalahi stutiug buxus fir [metV- ing glauiis l, whit-li lat-tei- :ifsist in preventing;V the inse-:ipe wi" materials :ilung tile shalt 2. The lriu'er @nel Ut thi shalt rests un a .suitableliaise :3 :unl i'nllvr in' ball bearing means if# prrwiltml im' eiliwtiug the l'i'i'e ninrenient mi ilu .shaft z :il it` llmir rml. The interiniiil' thi using iruluills n lutel member V wliirli is t'mi'rnwl nl' a flat pintelike nieu'ilivr having a ,substantially riicular periphery :nul which, lixerl tn rutzitu with the sliat't 2 by iileans ol' a hey member i The but puiiien if the member Grestsbn an annular eollar H fixed. to the shalt 2 and prevents the slipping nf the rotor member 6 along the shaft. Un the` upper and under faces et the rotor member 3 are flange mein-- bers a' whii'li extend radiali).Y and project substantially :it right angles from the opporsitr fares ol the member 6. These flanges elle simili-eil tu the roter niember by any suitable umane, auf-ii as welding, as indimiteiil at the peint itl. The hub ends of the flanges 9 are secured te a peri'eiate member il which encircles the shaft 2 and which likewise is rigidly secured t0 the rotor member. The enter ends 0i' the flange members 9 are secured by the circular plate members l2, which are likewise fastened to the rtor member, and which are freely perforated with the openings 13.` The flanges 9 0n one side of tbe plate-member 6 are staggered, with respert to those Im the opposite sifle` and all the flanges are very rigidly secured by means of their fastenings to the niemibers 11, (i and 12. Projecting outwardly member 6 and the flanges 9.

periphery of the rotor member. Fixed baf fles or agitating arms 16 are secured to the screen member 15 and are positioned in staggered relation with respect to the mov able arms 14. Brace members 17 extend from the inner wall of the casing 1 and constitute fastening means and spacin means for securing the filter member 15 in xed relation to the casing 1 and the rotor member.

Pipe means for the introduction` of an absorbing liquid is indicated at 18, and a control valve for regulating the entry of this liquid is indicated at 18". Pressure means for the supply of oil is diagrammatieally represented by the pump 18". Natural gas under pressure, or other gasoline, or ker osene containing gaseous or vaporous medium, is led into the casing through a pipe 19 having the control valve 19" and a pressure pump 19". An outlet for the absorbent and gas is indicated by the pipe 20, which has a suitable control valve 20". A pressure gage is indicated at 21. 1

The operation of the apparatus will be understood from the following. Sullicient absorbent is admitted and the apparatus is started by turning on the motor 2 and rotating the shaft 2 W1th its rotor member 6 and parts secured thereto. The action of these revolving parts generates considerable cen trifugal force and throws the absorbing liquid, which ma; be mineral seal oil, or other satisfactory absorbing medium, toward the outer wall of the casing 1. As the absorbing liquid is admitted, this centrifugal force will bank up the oil filling the space between the casing 1 and eventually covering the periphery of the rotor member 6. During this banking up process the liquid coming into contact with the agitating arms 14. and 16 is subjected to a very severe agitating treatment. Natural gas under pressure is forced in through the pipe 19, with suieient pressure to overcome the centrifugal force acting on the liquid at the peripheryr of the rotor member, and with suflicient force to be bubbled through the filter member 15 in the lower half of the casing and tobe forced buck through the filter member on the upper side of the casing, and finally to escape-out through the pi e 20. The entering pressure of the gas an absorbing liquid must exceed the centrifugal eiect of rotation in order that the materials may iow from the outer portion of the casing axially toward the outlet pipe 20. The agitation provided by the arms 14 and 16, and the ra idly revolving rotor member with its anges 9, seiwes to thoroughly break up the oil and to mix the oil with bubbles of gas,and the liquid which eventually flows out of the ipe 2) carries with it these bubbles. The nal governing control for the pressure is the valve 20, which may be set to vary the outflow of oil and gas. if this valve is Wide open, there will be but little pressure Within the apparatus, but on the other hand, if this valve is partly closed, the pressure Within the apparatus is eorrespondingl built up. The agitation due to the centri ugal action, the torce of the 'flanges 9, the agitating arms 14 and 16, and the screen 15 serves to break the gas bubbles to a relatively small size and promotes the absorption of' the gas by the absorbing liquid.

The. apparatus requires no heat and the absorption is conducted mest advantageously if the conditions are maintained at a. fairly low temperature. the absorption of the gas by the absorbing liquid being correspondingly promoted.

After the absorption of theV asoline content of the gas by the absorbing oil the material may be subjected to the usual separation processes, such as distillation, for removing the gasoline frfin the absorbing oil. It is believed that they use of this centrifugal apparatus and the process thereof, will provide eiirctive means ot treating gasoline-carrying gases and vapors with an ab sorbing oil much more quickly, and to far bet-ter advantage than has heretofore been possible.

1. Apparate. for using absorbing oii to extract gasoline from natural gas, which apparatus comprises a closed Casing, a rotor member mounted for rotation on an axis Within said casing; audarranged to move liquid oil and throw it centrifugully and having its peripheral edge spaced from the wall of said easing, said casing having a continuous imperlorate Wall encircling the periphery oi` .said rotor member. irst pipe means communicating with one side of said casing for the introduction of absorbing oil and gaseous material to treated, and Sec ond pipe means for the removal of materials treated. said first and said second pipe means being on opposite sides axially of said rotor member. said apparatus eonstitilting means for causing oil to collect as a bank of oil at the periphery of said rotor member-due to the centrifugal action provided by said rotor member and to close the space between the periphery of the rotor member and the encircling casing wall, the sole path of communication between said first and said second pipe means being radially on one side of and to the periphery of said rotor member and' through the titl alf)

bank of oil about the periphery and thence to the opposite side and radially and cern trally thereof.

2. Apparatus for usini,r absorbing oil to extract gasoline from natural gas, which apparatus comprises a closed casing having a cylindrical Wall and end walls therefor` a rotor member mounted for rotation on an axis Within said casing and arrangedto move oil and throw it erutrifugally and having its peripheral edge paced from the cylindrical Wall of said casinv, said cylindrical wall beim;r iinlwrforatiand encircling the periphery oi' said rotor member, a perforate screen member rnrire ing rotor periphery and spaced from sind cyiindrical wall and extending from om wud wall to the other, first )ipe means r' nruunicating with one side o Said casing` Vor the introduction of absorbing oil and gaseous material to be treated, and second pipe means t'or the removal of materials treated, said first and said second pipe means being on opposite sides axially op said rotor member. `said apparatus constituting means for causin;lr oil to collect as a `barili of oi! at the periphery ot' Said rotor loei'nliier due to the centrifugal action provided by said rotor number and to close the spare between the periphery of the rotor member and the ou circling casing wall, lthe sole path of vomY muniration between saidY tiret and said sevond pipi: menus being radiaily ou one side olA and to the periphery oi' said rotor niember. and through the bank ot' oil about thc periphery and thence to the opposite side and radiallyv and centrally thercol'.

:5. Apparatus for using absorbing oil to extract gasoline from natural gas. which apparatus comprises a ca: ing, a rotor member mounted for rotation on an axis Within lsaid casing and having` a substantially circular periphery spaced from the wall of said Pasing, said casing haring a continuous impcri'orate wall eurirclirnf the periphery of said rotor member, radiaily extending agitilting; arms mounted on said rotor meurber and pro-jectini,r beyond the periphery thereof, and arranged to more in a pool ol oil and to throw the oil centrifugally, first pipe means communicating with one side of said casing for the introduction of ab sorbing oil and raseous material to be treated, and secon( pipe means for the removal of materials treated, said first and said second pipe means being on opposite sides axially of said rotor member, said apparatus constitutingr` means for causing.: oil to collect as :P bank of oil at the peripli-l ery ot said rotor member due to the een irii'unrtl action provided by said rotor :neun ber nid to close the space between the periphery of therotor member and the en girl-ling casing wall, the soie path in comY munication between said and ond pipe means being radially on one side oi and to the periphery of said rotor mear ber, and througl'i the bank of oil about the periphery and thence to the opposite side and radially and centrally thereof.

4. Apparatus for using absorbing liquids to extract casing head gasoline from natural gas, which apparatus comprises a ing, a rotor member mounted tor rotation on an axis within Said casingr and arranged to n'iovc in liquid material and throw it centrifugally and having a Substantially circular peripher)Y spaced from the wall of said casing, and radially extending agitating arms fixed with respect to sain casing and spaced from said rotor member` said casing having a first openingf for the in trodurtion of absorbing liquid and gas to be treated, and a second openingr foi" the removal of materials treated, said first opening and said second opening being sub stantially on opposite sides axially of said rotor member, said apparatus roustitutiiu` means for rausinpr liquid to rollt-ct at the periphery of Said rotor member due to the centrifugal action rovided by lsaid rotor member, said radial y extending arms lyinpr in the sole path of communication between said fin-i and said second openings.

5. Apparatus tor using absorbing liquids to extra-' casing: head gasoline trom natural gas, winn apparatus rompriscs a casing, a rotor member mounted for rotation on an axis withii.r said casing and arranged to move in liquid material and throw it centrifngaily and haring an outer edge spaced from the wall of said casing, a iirs't set ot radially extendim r agitating arms fixed with respect to said casing and s raced troni said rotor member, and a secon set of radially extendingr agitating arms mounted on said rotor member and projecting beyond the periphery thereof for engagiiny` liquid and throwing it centrifugally, sai casing hav ing a h'rst opening for the introduction of absorbing liquid and gas to be treated and separate means i'or the removal of material treated` said first opening and said separate means being substantially on opposite sides axially of said rotor member, said apparatus constituting means for cansing r liquid to collect at the periphery of said rotor member due to the centrifugal action provided by said rotor member, said first Set/and said second set of arms lying in the sole path of communication between said first open` ing and said separate means.

(3` Apparatus for using absorbing liquids to extract casing head gasoline from natural gas, which apparatus comprises a casing having opposite end walls and a side wall, a rotor member mounted for rotation on an axisA within said casing and arranged to .more in liquid material and throw it centriuggjaliy and having a circular periphery lltl spaced from the side wall of said casing, a perforate screen member closely encircling said periphery andspaeed from tbe inner side Wall of said casing and extending from one end wall to the opposite end wall, radially extending arms mounted on said rotor member and projecting toward the periphery thereof, and a second set of radially extending arms mounted on said screen member and in staggered position with respect to said arms onsaid rotor member, said screen member extending across the sole path of communication from the inlet end to the outlet end and between said opposite end walls.

7. Apparatus for using absorbing liquids to extract casing head gasoline from natural gas, which comprises a casing, a rotor member mounted for rotation on an axis within said casing and arranged,Y to move in liquid material and throw it centrifugallyV and having a circular periphery spaced from the walls of said easing, said rotor member consisting of a plate-like member fixed for rotation With an axial drive shaft, and flanges on both sides of said rotor member projecting from said, rotor member axially and extending from the axis toward the periphery of said rotor member for engaging liquid and throwing it centrifugally, the flanges on one side of said rotor member being staggered. with respect to those on the opposite side thereof, said casing having first means for the introduction of materials to be treated and also separate means for the removal of materials tleated, said first means and said separate means being on opposite sides axially of said rotor member, said apparatus constituting means for causing liquid to collect at the periphery of said rotor member due to the centrifugal action provided by said rotor member, the sole path of communication between said first means and said separate means being radially on one side of and to the periphery of said rotor member, thence to the opposite side and radially and centrally thereof.

8. Apparatus for using absorbing liquids to extract casing head gasoline from natural gas, which apparatus comprises a casing Ahaving a wall extending substantially vertically, means for supplying as and absorbing liquidsto the interior osaid Casin means for withdrawing materials treated, and means for forming and maintaining by centrifugal force a bank of liquid around the wall of said casing, the sole path of communication between said means for su plying materials and said means for withdiawing materials passing through the bank of liquid.

9. Apparatusl for using absorbing liquids to extract casing head gasoline from natural gas, which apparatus comprises a casing having a wall extending vertically, means for supplying gas and absorbing liquids to the interior of said casin means for withdrawing materials treate a rotor member Within said casing mounted to rotate on its vertical axis in a horizontal plane, said means for withdrawing materials leading from a point positioned above said rotor member, and power means aociated with said rotor member, said power means and rotor member together comprising means for forming and maintaining by centrifugal vforce a bank of liquid around the wall of said casing and having a thickness at least as great as the distance from said wall to said rotor member.

In testimony whereof I affix m si nature.

GEORGE M. T R ER. 

